Image data processing system, image data generating apparatus, terminal equipment and program product

ABSTRACT

In each of personal computers, information concerning an application software to process image data sent to a scanner is received. A dialog box is displayed and a user entry is made as to whether transmission is permitted or not. When transmission is rejected by the user, a notice of the rejection of transmission is given to the scanner. When transmission is permitted by the user, the application software is started and a notice of the permission of transmission is given to the scanner. Then, image data is received from the scanner and processed by the started application software.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an image data processing system,an image data generating apparatus, a terminal equipment and a programproduct, in which the terminal equipment receives data from the datagenerator and processes the data by using an application softwareinstalled in the terminal equipment.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventionally, a network system including a multifunctionalperipheral equipment having a plurality of functions such as a scannerfunction, and a plurality of terminal equipments (e.g., personalcomputers) connected to the multifunctional peripheral equipment throughan LAN (Local Area Network) may be constructed. There has been used atechnique in which data of an original read by the scanner function ofthe multifunctional peripheral equipment is sent to a terminal equipmentdesignated by a user (e.g., see JP-A-2000-92121, specifically FIGS. 6and 7 thereof). There also has been provided a number of applicationsoftware operated on a terminal equipment for adding received data to ane-mail, editing the received data and recognizing characters. It istherefore conceived that selection of an application software forprocessing data as well as selection of a terminal equipment as atransmission destination of data is performed in the multifunctionalperipheral equipment. In the case above, it is conceived that a terminalequipment and an application software making a pair are selectedsimultaneously as shown in FIG. 17.

[0005] In the configuration, the multifunctional peripheral equipmentcan be used in common with a plurality of terminal equipments connectedto the multifunctional peripheral equipment through an LAN. Eachterminal equipments, however, inevitably receives data unintended by auser because data can be sent from the multifunction peripheralequipment to each terminal equipment unconditionally. The problem aboveis undesirable from the point of view of security and the presence ofterminal equipment users not wanting to receive data. It is thereforeconceived that entry of a password assigned to each terminal equipmentsis required when data is sent from the multifunctional peripheralequipment to each terminal equipment. According to this measure,passwords can be managed to prevent each terminal equipments fromreceiving data unintended by the user. There is however a problem thatoperations such as management of passwords and entry of passwords arecomplicated.

[0006] Furthermore, when image data of the original read by the scannerfunction of the multifunctional peripheral equipment is to be sent tothe terminal equipment, the user however needs to know the address ofthe transmission destination and enter the address manually on theuser's own. Therefore there is a problem that the operation to send theimage data to specific terminal equipment may be felt troublesome by theuser.

[0007] In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, in the method in which theterminal equipment and the application software making a pair areselected at once, options corresponding to the number of terminalequipment-application software combinations, however, must be displayed.As a result, the number of options may be too large for the user toselect an option.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,and therefore an object of the invention is to provide a data processingsystem, a data generator, a terminal equipment and a software program,in which a user's simple operation can be made to prevent the terminalequipment from receiving data without user's intention.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an image datatransmission/reception system, an image data generator, a terminalequipment and a program, in which a terminal equipment can be designatedeasily when image data generated by the image data generator is sent tothe terminal equipment.

[0010] Furthermore, another object of the invention is to provide animage data processing system, an image data generator and a program, inwhich both selection of a terminal equipment to which image datagenerated by the image data generator will be sent and selection of anapplication software for processing the image data can be made easily.

[0011] In order to achieve the object, according to one aspect of theinvention, there is provided an image data processing system including:an image data generating apparatus configured to generate image data;and a terminal equipment connected to the image data generatingapparatus and configured to be installed with an application software,wherein the image data generating apparatus includes: an image datagenerating unit configured to generate the image data; a terminalequipment selection unit configured to select the terminal equipment asa transmission destination of the image data; an application softwareselection unit configured to select the application software forprocessing the image data; a notice sending unit configured to send anotice of the selected application software to the selected terminalequipment; and a data sending unit configured to send the image data tothe selected terminal equipment, wherein the terminal equipmentincludes: a data receiving unit configured to receive the image datasent from the data sending unit; a processing unit configured to processthe received image data by use of the application software designated bythe notice sent from the notice sending unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a dataprocessing system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 2A is a diagram showing device configurations of devices asconstituent members of the data processing system;

[0015]FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration showing an exemplary operationpanel;

[0016]FIG. 2C is a diagram showing device configurations of devices asconstituent members of the data processing system;

[0017]FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing examples of a registrationinformation database stored in a scanner included in the data processingsystem;

[0018]FIGS. 4A through 4D are views showing examples of a selectionscreen displayed on the scanner included in the data processing system;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of a registrationinformation sending process executed by a personal computer included inthe data processing system;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of a registrationinformation storing process executed by the scanner included in the dataprocessing system;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of a registrationinformation deleting process executed by the scanner included in thedata processing system;

[0022]FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of image dataprocessing executed by the scanner included in the data processingsystem;

[0023]FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of image dataprocessing executed by a personal computer included in the dataprocessing system;

[0024]FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of inputting aregistration information;

[0025]FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing another operation flow of imagedata processing executed by the scanner included in the data processingsystem;

[0026]FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing another operation flow of imagedata processing executed by the scanner included in the data processingsystem;

[0027]FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing another operation flow of imagedata processing executed by the scanner included in the data processingsystem;

[0028]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a dataprocessing system according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0029]FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of sendingregistration information to a scanner;

[0030]FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of processingthe image data; and

[0031]FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of a selection screendisplayed on the scanner included in the data processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a description will begiven in detail of preferred embodiments of the invention. Hereinafter,a data processing system according to an embodiment of the inventionwill be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] A system configuration of the data processing system according tothe embodiment of the invention will be described first with referenceto FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 2C. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of thesystem configuration of the data processing system. FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2Care diagrams showing an example of the device configuration of devicesas constituent members of the data processing system.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the data processing system 1includes a scanner 2, personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c, andhubs 6, 7 a, 7 b and 7 c. The scanner 2 is connected to an LAN cable ofa local area network (LAN) 8 through the hub 6. The personal computers 5a, 5 b and 5 c are connected to an LAN cable of the LAN 8 through thehubs 7 a, 7 b and 7 c respectively. The personal computer 3 and thescanner 2 are connected to each other through a universal serial bus(USB) interface. The personal computer 4 and the scanner 2 are connectedto each other through a parallel interface.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2A, the scanner 2 in FIG. 1 includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 21, a read-only memory (ROM) 22, a random accessmemory (RAM) 23, a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) 24, anoperation panel 25, a reading portion 26, a network interface (networkI/F) 27, a USB interface (USB I/F) 28, a parallel interface (parallelI/F) 29, and a hard disk device (HDD) 30. An example of the operationpanel 25 is shown in FIG. 2B.

[0036] The CPU 21 functions as a central processing unit for performingvarious kinds of processing. In the embodiment, a registrationinformation storing software program is stored in the ROM 22 in advance.The registration information storing software program causes the scanner2 to execute a registration information storing process to storeregistration information, such as information (identificationinformation) concerning personal computers connected to its own deviceand application softwares installed in the personal computers andregistration verification information given to the scanner 2, in aregistration information database (which will be described later) (seeFIGS. 3A and 3B) of the RAM 23. When the scanner 2 is powered on, theCPU 21 reads the registration information storing software program fromthe ROM 22 and executes the registration information storing process(see FIG. 6) according to the registration information storing softwareprogram read from the ROM 22.

[0037] Further, a registration information deleting software program forcausing the scanner 2 to read out information concerning the personalcomputer and application softwares installed in the personal computerfrom a the registration information database (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), toread out a registration information deleting software program forexecuting a registration information deleting process (see FIG. 7) todelete registration information from the ROM 22, and to execute theregistration information deleting process.

[0038] Further, an image data processing software program for making thescanner 2 to execute image data processing to notify a personal computerselected by a user of an application software selected by the user, toread an image data from an original set in its own device and to sendthe image data read from the original to the personal computer selectedby the user is stored in the ROM 22 in advance. The CPU 21 reads theimage data processing software program from the ROM 22 according to auser's key operation (scanning operation) concerning reading of an imageand executes the image data processing (see FIG. 8) according to theimage data processing software program read from the ROM 22.

[0039] The ROM 22 is a read-only memory and forms part of a main storagedevice of the scanner 2. Various kinds of software programs such as asystem software program, the registration information storing softwareprogram, the registration information deleting software program and theimage data processing software program are stored in the ROM 22.

[0040] The RAM 23 is a read/write volatile memory and forms part of themain storage device of the scanner 2, like the ROM 22. The RAM 23 has awork area for storing intermediate results of data processing. The RAM23 further has the registration information database in whichregistration information such as information concerning personalcomputers connected to the scanner 2, information concerning theapplication softwares installed in the personal computers, and encryptedregistration verification information are stored as shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B. (The ROM 23 is equivalent to a terminal unit allocation unit andan application software allocation unit).

[0041] The NVRAM 24 is a read/write memory which is capable of storingdata continuously even in the case where the memory is not supplied withelectricity. An IP address set for the scanner 2 is stored in the NVRAM24.

[0042] The registration information database will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showingexamples of the registration information database. In the example shownin each of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the registration information databaseincludes “Transmission Destination” (identification information)indicating identification information concerning the names of personalcomputers connected to the scanner 2 or the names of interfaces by whichthe personal computers are connected, “Application” indicatingapplication softwares installed in the personal computers, “IP Address”indicating IP addresses of the personal computers, “Port No.” indicatingport numbers concerning the personal computers, “Time-out Value”concerning information hold time, and “Registration VerificationInformation” indicating encrypted registration verification informationgiven to the personal computers.

[0043] The operation panel 25 has a display device for outputting anddisplaying information on a display, and an input device for inputtingdata from the outside. For example, the operation panel 25 is made of aliquid-crystal display device or a plasma display device having a touchpanel for forming an operation portion as an input device on a displaysurface. When a user makes a predetermined operation on the operationportion of the operation panel 25, a selection screen (including aterminal equipment selection group for selecting a terminal equipment asa transmission destination of image data, and an application softwareselection group for selecting an application software to process theimage data) as shown in each of FIGS. 4A through 4D is displayed. Theselection screen is used for selecting a terminal equipment as atransmission destination of image data and selecting an applicationsoftware to process the image data. The operation portion of theoperation panel 25 is used when the user enters input verificationinformation (compared with registration verification information so thataccess to a personal computer selected by the user from the scanner 2 ispermitted when the two pieces of information coincide with each other).

[0044] The selection screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 4Athrough 4D. FIGS. 4A through 4D are views showing examples of theselection screen.

[0045] In the example shown in each of FIGS. 4A and 4B, an applicationsoftware selection group for selecting an application software toprocess image data is displayed in the left of the selection screenwhile a terminal equipment selection group for selecting a terminalequipment as a transmission destination of the image data is displayedin the right of the selection screen. An application software is firstselected from the application software selection group. FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow an example of the selection screen in the case where the number ofapplication softwares (e.g., three in total, “Scan to Email”, “Scan toImage” and “Scan to OCR”) is smaller than the number of transmissiondestinations (e.g., five in total, “PC1”, “PC2”, “PC3”, “USB” and“Parallel”) as represented by the registration information databaseshown in FIG. 3A.

[0046] The application software selection group is displayed on thebasis of the names of application softwares stored in the registrationinformation database. The terminal selection group is display on thebasis of the names of transmission destinations stored in theregistration information database. When an application software isselected from the application software selection group, only terminalequipments concerning the selected application software and registeredin the registration information database are displayed as the terminalequipment selection group (see FIGS. 3A, 4A and 4B). Incidentally, theterminal equipment selection group is displayed on the basis of thenames of personal computers with respect to personal computersnetwork-connected to the scanner 2 and the names of interfaces forconnecting the scanner 2 to personal computers with respect to computerslocal-connected to the scanner 2. As shown in FIGS. 4A through 4D, thenames of interfaces in the terminal equipment selection group areenclosed in “< >” for definitely discriminating between the names ofpersonal computers and the names of interfaces.

[0047] In the example shown in each of FIGS. 4C and 4D, the terminalequipment selection group is displayed in the left of the selectionscreen while the application software selection group is displayed inthe right of the selection screen. A terminal equipment is firstselected from the terminal equipment selection group. FIGS. 4C and 4Dshow an example of the selection screen in the case where the number oftransmission destinations (e.g., two in total, “PC3” and “USB”) issmaller than the number of application softwares (e.g., three in total,“Scan to Email”, “Scan to Image” and “Scan to OCR”) as represented bythe registration information database shown in FIG. 3B.

[0048] When a terminal equipment is selected from the terminal equipmentselection group, only application softwares concerning the selectedterminal equipment and registered in the registration informationdatabase are displayed as the application software selection group (seeFIGS. 3B, 4C and 4D). Incidentally, except the conditions describedabove, the terminal equipment selection group and the applicationsoftware selection group in each of FIGS. 4C and 4D are substantiallythe same as those in each of FIGS. 4A and 4B. As a method for displayingthe selection screen, the terminal equipment selection group and theapplication software selection group may be displayed simultaneously asshown in FIGS. 4A through 4D or may be displayed individually.

[0049] The reading portion 26 provides a scanner function for reading anoriginal set in the scanner 2 and generating image data of the readoriginal. (The reading portion 26 is equivalent to a data generatingunit.)

[0050] The network interface 27 connects the scanner 2 to the LAN 8through the hub 6 so that the scanner 2 can communicate with respectivedevices such as the personal computers 5 a, 5 b and 5 c connected to theLAN 8. The USB interface 28 connects the scanner 2 to the personalcomputer 3 so that the scanner 2 can communicate with the personalcomputer 3. The parallel interface 29 connects the scanner 2 to thepersonal computer 4 so that the scanner 2 can communicate with thepersonal computer 4.

[0051] The HDD 30 is a storage unit including a read/write storagedevice (i.e., a hard disk drive). Image data generated by the scannerfunction of the reading portion 26 is temporarily stored in the HDD 30.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2C, each of the personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5b and 5 c in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 31, an ROM 32, an RAM 33, an HDD 34,an operation portion 35, a display portion 36, and an interface 37.

[0053] The CPU 31 functions as a central processing unit for performingvarious kinds of processing. In the embodiment, a registrationinformation sending software program for making each of the personalcomputers execute a registration information sending process to sendregistration information, such as information concerning the name of thepersonal computer, the name decided by the user, IP address of thepersonal computer, port number of a port of an interface to be used,time-out value and application software installed in the personalcomputer, and registration verification information (encrypted on thebasis of an encryption process) given to the personal computer, to thescanner 2 is stored in the HDD 34 in advance. When the personal computeris powered on, the CPU 31 reads the registration information sendingsoftware program from the HDD 34 and executes the registrationinformation sending process (see FIG. 5) according to the registrationinformation sending software program read from the HDD 34.

[0054] Further, an image data processing software program for makingeach of the personal computers execute image data processing to processimage data received from the scanner 2 by an application softwaredesignated by the scanner 2 is stored in the HDD 34 in advance. The CPU31 reads the image data processing software program from the HDD 34 andexecutes image data processing (see FIG. 9) according to the image dataprocessing software program read from the HDD 34.

[0055] The ROM 32 is a read-only memory and forms part of a main storagedevice of the personal computer. Various kinds of software programs suchas a system software program are stored in the ROM 32.

[0056] The RAM 33 is a read/write volatile memory and forms part of themain storage device of the personal computer, like the ROM 32. The RAM33 has a work area for storing intermediate results of data processing.

[0057] The HDD 34 is a reader including a read/write storage device(i.e., a hard disk). The registration information sending softwareprogram, the image data processing software program, the various kindsof application softwares, as well as the name and IP address of its owndevice (personal computer) and registration verification information,are stored in the HDD 34.

[0058] The operation portion 35 forms an input device of the personalcomputer. The operation portion 35 includes a keyboard having apredetermined number of entry keys, and a pointing device such as amouse. The display portion 36 is a display device for outputting anddisplaying information on a display. For example, the display portion 36is made of a liquid-crystal display device or a plasma display device.Incidentally, the liquid-crystal display device may be of a passivematrix type such as an STN type or a DSTN type or may be of an activematrix type such as a TFT type.

[0059] In the personal computer 3, the interface 37 is connected to theUSB interface 28 of the scanner 2 so that the personal computer 3 cancommunicate with the scanner 2. In the personal computer 4, theinterface 37 is connected to the parallel interface 29 of the scanner 2so that the personal computer 4 can communicate with the scanner 2. Inthe personal computer 5 a, 5 b or 5 c, the interface 37 is connected tothe LAN 8 through the hub 7 a, 7 b or 7 c so that the personal computer5 a, 5 b or 5 c can communicate with respective devices such as thescanner 2 connected to the LAN 8.

[0060] The registration information sending process executed in the dataprocessing system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of the registrationinformation sending process executed by each of the personal computers3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c as constituent members of the data processingsystem 1. When the personal computer 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b or 5 c is poweredon, the CPU 31 of the personal computer reads the registrationinformation sending software program from the HDD 34 and starts theexecution of the registration information sending process shown in FIG.5.

[0061] In step S101 (hereinafter referred to simply as “S101”; this ruleapplies to other steps), the CPU 31 determines whether an applicationsoftware (hereinafter referred to as “Scan to Email” applicationsoftware) for sending an e-mail with image data to its own device(personal computer) is installed in the HDD 34 or not. When the CPU 31makes a decision that the “Scan to Email” application software isinstalled (S101: YES), the process proceeds to S102. On the other hand,when the CPU 31 makes a decision that the “Scan to Email” applicationsoftware is not installed (S101: NO), the process proceeds to S105.

[0062] When the CPU 31 makes a decision that the “Scan to Email”application software is installed (S101: YES), the CPU 31 makes adetermination in S102 as to whether registration verificationinformation is to be added to registration information sent to thescanner 2 or not. When the CPU 31 makes a decision that registrationverification information is to be added (S102: YES), the processproceeds to S103. On the other hand, when the CPU 31 makes a decisionthat registration verification information is not to be added (S102:NO), the process proceeds to S104. For example, the determination as towhether registration verification information is to be added or not, ismade on the basis of the user's designation in advance as to whetherregistration verification information is to be added or not.

[0063] When the CPU 31 makes a decision that registration verificationinformation is to be added (S102: YES), the CPU 31 in S103 encryptsregistration verification information and generates “Scan to Email”registration information including the encrypted registrationverification information (<IP address of its own device>:<portnumber>:<name of its own device (transmission destination stored in theregistration information database)>:<information indicating “Scan toEmail” application software>:<time-out value>:<encrypted registrationverification information>). Incidentally, in each of the personalcomputer 3 connected through the USB interface and the personal computer4 connected through the parallel interface, registration informationincluding neither <IP address of its own device> nor <port number> isgenerated. The personal computer is controlled by the CPU 31 so that thegenerated registration information is stored in a packet and sent to thescanner 2. Then, the process proceeds to S105.

[0064] When the CPU 31 makes a decision that registration verificationinformation is not to be added (S102: NO), the CPU 31 in S104 generates“Scan to Email” registration information (<IP address of its owndevice>:<port number>:<name of its own device>:<information indicating“Scan to Email” application software>:<time-out value>). Incidentally,in each of the personal computer 3 connected through the USB interfaceand the personal computer 4 connected through the parallel interface,registration information including neither <IP address of its owndevice> nor <port number> is generated. The personal computer iscontrolled by the CPU 31 so that the generated registration informationis stored in a packet and sent to the scanner 2. Then, the processproceeds to S105.

[0065] In S105, the CPU 31 determines whether an application software(hereinafter referred to as “Scan to Image” application software) forediting image data is installed in its own device or not. When the CPU31 makes a decision that the “Scan to Image” application software isinstalled in the HDD 34 (S105: YES), the process proceeds to S106. Onthe other hand, when the CPU 31 makes a decision that the “Scan toImage” application software is not installed in the HDD 34 (S105: NO),the process proceeds to S109.

[0066] When the CPU 31 makes a decision that the “Scan to Image”application software is installed in the HDD 34 (S105: YES), the CPU 31makes a determination in S106 as to whether registration verificationinformation is to be added to registration information sent to thescanner 2 or not. When the CPU 31 makes a decision that registrationverification information is to be added (S106: YES), the processproceeds to S107. On the other hand, when the CPU 31 makes a decisionthat registration verification information is not to be added (S106:NO), the process proceeds to S108.

[0067] When the CPU 31 makes a decision that registration verificationinformation is to be added (S106: YES), the CPU 31 in S107 encryptsregistration verification information and generates “Scan to Image”registration information including the encrypted registrationverification information (<IP address of its own device>:<portnumber>:<name of its own device>:<information indicating “Scan to Image”application software>:<time-out value>:<encrypted registrationverification information>). Incidentally, in each of the personalcomputer 3 connected through the USB interface and the personal computer4 connected through the parallel interface, registration informationincluding neither <IP address of its own device> nor <port number> isgenerated. The personal computer is controlled by the CPU 31 so that thegenerated registration information is stored in a packet and sent to thescanner 2. Then, the process proceeds to S109.

[0068] When the CPU 31 makes a decision that registration verificationinformation is not to be added (S106: NO), the CPU 31 in S108 generates“Scan to Image” registration information (<IP address of its owndevice>:<port number>:<name of its own device>:<information indicating“Scan to Image” application software>:<time-out value>). Incidentally,in each of the personal computer 3 connected through the USB interfaceand the personal computer 4 connected through the parallel interface,registration information including neither <IP address of its owndevice> nor <port number> is generated. The personal computer iscontrolled by the CPU 31 so that the generated registration informationis stored in a packet and sent to the scanner 2. Then, the processproceeds to S109.

[0069] In S109, the CPU 31 determines whether an application software(hereinafter referred to as “Scan to OCR” application software) forrecognizing characters by analyzing image data by its own device isinstalled in the HDD 34 or not. When the CPU 31 makes a decision thatthe “Scan to OCR” application software is installed in the HDD 34 (S109:YES), the process proceeds to S110. On the other hand, when the CPU 31makes a decision that the “Scan to OCR” application software is notinstalled in the HDD 34 (S109: NO), the process proceeds to S113.

[0070] When the CPU 31 makes a decision that the “Scan to OCR”application software is installed in the HDD 34 (S109: YES), the CPU 31makes a determination in S110 as to whether registration verificationinformation is to be added to registration information sent to thescanner 2 or not. When the CPU 31 makes a decision that registrationverification information is to be added (S110: YES), the processproceeds to S111. On the other hand, when the CPU 31 makes a decisionthat registration verification information is not to be added (S110:NO), the process proceeds to S112.

[0071] When the CPU 31 makes a decision that registration verificationinformation is to be added (S110: YES), the CPU 31 in S111 encryptsregistration verification information and generates “Scan to OCR”registration information added with the encrypted registrationverification information (<IP address of its own device>:<portnumber>:<name of its own device>:<information indicating “Scan to OCR”application software>:<time-out value>:<encrypted registrationverification information>) Incidentally, in each of the personalcomputer 3 connected through the USB interface and the personal computer4 connected through the parallel interface, registration informationincluding neither <IP address of its own device> nor <port number> isgenerated. The personal computer is controlled by the CPU 31 so that thegenerated registration information is stored in a packet and sent to thescanner 2. Then, the process proceeds to S113.

[0072] When the CPU 31 makes a decision that registration verificationinformation is not to be added (S110: NO), the CPU 31 in S112 generates“Scan to OCR” registration information (<IP address of its owndevice>:<port number>:<name of its own device>:<information indicating“Scan to OCR” application software>:<time-out value>). Incidentally, ineach of the personal computer 3 connected through the USB interface andthe personal computer 4 connected through the parallel interface,registration information including neither <IP address of its owndevice> nor <port number> is generated. The personal computer iscontrolled by the CPU 31 so that the generated registration informationis stored in a packet and sent to the scanner 2. Then, the processproceeds to S113.

[0073] In S113, the CPU 31 determines whether a predetermined time haspassed or not. When the CPU 31 makes a decision that the predeterminedtime has not passed (S113: NO), the CPU 31 repeats S113 to monitorwhether the predetermined time has passed. On the other hand, when theCPU 31 makes a decision that the predetermined time has passed (S113:YES), the process returns to S101 so that the CPU 31 repeats theprocedure of from S101 to S113. Incidentally, in each of S103, S104,S107, S108, S111 and S112, registration information may be sent to adirectory server allowed to be accessed by the scanner 2, instead ofbeing sent to the scanner 2.

[0074] Next, the registration information storing process executed inthe data processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of the registrationinformation storing process executed by the scanner 2 as a constituentmember of the data processing system 1. When the scanner 2 is poweredon, the CPU 21 of the scanner 2 reads the registration informationstoring software program from the ROM 22 to start the execution of theregistration information storing process shown in FIG. 6.

[0075] In S201, the CPU 21 of the scanner 2 determines whether a packetcontaining registration information (at least one of “Scan to Email”registration information, “Scan to Image” registration information and“Scan to OCR” registration information) is received through the networkinterface 27 or not. When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the packet isreceived through the network interface 27 (S201: YES), the processproceeds to S202. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decisionthat the packet is not received through the network interface 27 (S201:NO), the process proceeds to S205.

[0076] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the packet is receivedthrough the network interface 27 (S201: YES), the CPU 21 makes adetermination in S202 as to whether information (the name of thetransmission destination, information of the application software, IPaddress, port number, and encrypted registration verificationinformation: encrypted registration verification information may beabsent) concerning registration information stored in the receivedpacket has been already stored in the registration information databaseof the RAM 23 (shown in FIG. 3A or 3B) or not. When the CPU 21 makes adecision that information concerning registration information stored inthe received packet has been already stored in the registrationinformation database (S202: YES), the process proceeds to S203. On theother hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that information concerningregistration information stored in the received packet has been notstored in the registration information database (S202: NO), the processproceeds to S204.

[0077] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that information concerningregistration information stored in the received packet has been alreadystored in the registration information database (S202: YES), the CPU 21in S203 updates the time-out value of information concerning thereceived registration information and stored in the registrationinformation database to the time-out value contained in the receivedregistration information. Then, the process proceeds to S205.

[0078] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that information concerningregistration information stored in the received packet has been notstored in the registration information database (S202: NO), the CPU 21in S204 extracts registration information (the name of the transmissiondestination, information of the application software, IP address, portnumber, time-out value, and encrypted registration verificationinformation: encrypted registration verification information may beabsent) from the received packet and adds the extracted registrationinformation to the registration information database. As a result, theregistration information is registered in the registration informationdatabase while the IP address of the personal computer in which thepacket was sent from (i.e., identification information of the personalcomputer used when image data is sent from the scanner 2 to the personalcomputer) is associated with the encrypted registration verificationinformation given to the personal computer. Then, the process proceedsto S205.

[0079] In S205, the CPU 21 determines whether a packet containingregistration information is received through the USB interface 28 ornot. When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the packet is receivedthrough the USB interface 28 (S205: YES), the process proceeds to S206.On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that the packet isnot received through the USB interface 28 (S205: NO), the processproceeds to S209.

[0080] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the packet is receivedthrough the USB interface 28 (S205: YES), the CPU 21 makes adetermination in S206 as to whether information (the name of thetransmission destination, information of the application software, IPaddress, port number, and encrypted registration verificationinformation: encrypted registration verification information may beabsent) concerning registration information stored in the receivedpacket has been already stored in the registration information databaseof the RAM 23 (shown in FIG. 3A or 3B) or not. When the CPU 21 makes adecision that information concerning registration information stored inthe received packet has been already stored in the registrationinformation database (S206: YES), the process proceeds to S207. On theother hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that information concerningregistration information stored in the received packet has been notstored in the registration information database (S206: NO), the processproceeds to S208.

[0081] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that information concerningregistration information stored in the received packet has been alreadystored in the registration information database (S206: YES), the CPU 21in S207 updates the time-out value of information concerning thereceived registration information and stored in the registrationinformation database to the time-out value contained in the receivedregistration information. Then, the process proceeds to S209.

[0082] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that information concerningregistration information stored in the received packet has been notstored in the registration information database (S206: NO), the CPU 21in S208 extracts registration information (the name of the transmissiondestination, the name of the application software, IP address, portnumber, time-out value, and encrypted registration verificationinformation: encrypted registration verification information may beabsent) from the received packet. The CPU 21 sets the USB interface asthe transmission destination and adds the name of the applicationsoftware, IP address, port number, time-out value and encryptedregistration verification information (if necessary) contained in theextracted registration information to the registration informationdatabase. As a result, the registration information is registered in theregistration information database while the IP address of the personalcomputer as the packet sender is associated with the encryptedregistration verification information given to the personal computer.Then, the process proceeds to S209. Incidentally, because the USBinterface is set as the transmission destination in the registrationinformation database, the personal computer name contained in theregistration information is not registered in the registrationinformation database.

[0083] In S209, the CPU 21 determines whether a packet containingregistration information is received through the parallel interface 29or not. When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the packet is receivedthrough the parallel interface 29 (S209: YES), the process proceeds toS210. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that thepacket is not received through the parallel interface 29 (S209: NO), theprocess returns to S201.

[0084] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the packet is receivedthrough the parallel interface 29 (S209: YES), the CPU 21 makes adetermination in S210 as to whether information (the name of thetransmission destination, information of the application software, IPaddress, port number, and encrypted registration verificationinformation: encrypted registration verification information may beabsent) concerning registration information stored in the receivedpacket has been already stored in the registration information databaseof the RAM 23 (shown in FIG. 3A or 3B) or not. When the CPU 21 makes adecision that information concerning registration information stored inthe received packet has been already stored in the registrationinformation database (S210: YES), the process proceeds to S211. On theother hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that information concerningregistration information stored in the received packet has been notstored in the registration information database (S210: NO), the processproceeds to S212.

[0085] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that information concerningregistration information stored in the received packet has been alreadystored in the registration information database (S210: YES), the CPU 21in S211 updates the time-out value of information concerning thereceived registration information and stored in the registrationinformation database to the time-out value contained in the receivedregistration information. Then, the process returns to S201.

[0086] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that information concerningregistration information stored in the received packet has been notstored in the registration information database (S210: NO), the CPU 21in S212 extracts registration information (the name of the transmissiondestination, the name of the application software, IP address, portnumber, time-out value, and encrypted registration verificationinformation: encrypted registration verification information may beabsent) from the received packet. The CPU 21 sets the parallel interfaceas the transmission destination and adds the name of the applicationsoftware, IP address, port number, time-out value and encryptedregistration verification information (if necessary) contained in theextracted registration information to the registration informationdatabase. As a result, the registration information is registered in theregistration information database while the IP address of the personalcomputer as the packet sender is associated with the encryptedregistration verification information given to the personal computer.Then, the process returns to S201. Incidentally, because the parallelinterface is set as the transmission destination in the registrationinformation database, the personal computer name contained in theregistration information is not registered in the registrationinformation database.

[0087] Next, the registration information deleting process executed inthe data processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation flow of the registrationinformation deleting process executed by the scanner 2 as a constituentmember of the data processing system 1. When the scanner 2 is poweredon, the CPU 21 of the scanner 2 reads the registration informationdeleting software program from the ROM 22 to start the execution of theregistration information deleting process shown in FIG. 7.

[0088] In S301, the CPU 21 of the scanner 2 determines whether time-outregistration information (i.e., registration information in which thetime-out value has reached zero) is present in the registrationinformation database (shown in FIG. 3A or 3B) or not. When the CPU 21makes a decision that time-out registration information is present(S301: YES), the process proceeds to S302. On the other hand, when theCPU 21 makes a decision that time-out registration information is notpresent (S301: NO), the CPU 21 repeats S301.

[0089] Inc S302, the CPU 21 deletes the time-out registrationinformation from the registration information database. Then, theprocess returns to S301.

[0090] Next, the image data processing executed in the data processingsystem 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image data processing executed bythe scanner 2 as a constituent member of the data processing system 1.When a user operates the operation panel 25 of the scanner 2 to make apredetermined key operation, the CPU 21 of the scanner 2 reads the imagedata processing software program from the ROM 22 to start the executionof the image data processing shown in FIG. 8.

[0091] In S401, the CPU 21 of the scanner 2 accesses the registrationinformation database stored in the RAM 23. Then, the process proceeds toS402. Incidentally, in S401, the CPU 21 may access registrationinformation registered in a directory server, instead of accessing theregistration information database stored in the RAM 23.

[0092] In S402, the CPU 21 determines whether the number of applicationsoftwares is smaller than the number of transmission designations in theregistration information database or not. When the CPU 21 makes adecision that the number of application softwares is smaller than thenumber of transmission destinations (S402: YES), the process proceeds toS403. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that thenumber of application softwares is not smaller than the number oftransmission destinations (S402: NO), the process proceeds to S407.

[0093] For example, in the case of the registration information databaseshown in FIG. 3A, the process proceeds to S403 because the number ofapplication softwares (e.g., three in total, “Scan to Email”, “San toImage” and “Scan to OCR”) is smaller than the number of transmissiondestinations (e.g., five in total, “PC1”, “PC2”, “PC3”, “USB” and“Parallel”) (S402: YES). For example, in the case of the registrationinformation database shown in FIG. 3B, the process proceeds to S407because the number of application softwares (e.g., three in total, “Scanto Email”, “Scan to Image” and “Scan to OCR”) is not smaller than thenumber of transmission destinations (e.g., two in total, “PC3” and“USB”) (S402: NO).

[0094] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the number of applicationsoftwares is smaller than the number of transmission destinations (S402:YES), the CPU 21 in S403 displays a selection screen having theapplication software selection group disposed in the left of theselection screen and the terminal equipment selection group (in which noinformation concerning terminal equipments is displayed in this stage)disposed in the right of the selection screen as shown in FIG. 4A. Onlyapplication softwares present in the registration information databaseare displayed in the application software selection group. Incidentally,the selection screen in this stage is controlled by the CPU 21 so thatan application software can be selected from the application softwareselection group disposed in the left of the selection screen. Then, theprocess proceeds to S404.

[0095] In S404, the CPU 21 determines whether an application software isselected by the user from the application software selection group inthe selection screen displayed in the step S403 or not. When the CPU 21makes a decision that an application software is not selected (S404:NO), the CPU 21 repeats S404 to monitor an application software selectedby the user. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that anapplication software is selected (S404: YES), the process proceeds toS405.

[0096] In S405, the CPU 21 displays only transmission destinationsconcerning the application software selected by the user in the terminalequipment selection group in the selection screen on the basis of theregistration information database shown in FIG. 3A or 3B. Then, theprocess proceeds to S406.

[0097] When, for example, “Scan to Email” is selected from theapplication software selection group in the selection screen shown inFIG. 4A on the assumption that the registration information database isshown in FIG. 3A, “PC1” and “<USB>” are displayed as transmissiondestinations in the terminal equipment selection group in the selectionscreen as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0098] In S406, the CPU 21 determines whether a transmission destinationis selected by the user from the terminal equipment selection group inthe selection screen displayed in the step S405 or not. When the CPU 21makes a decision that a transmission destination is not selected (S406:NO), the CPU 21 repeats S406 to monitor a transmission destinationselected by the user. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes adecision that a transmission destination is selected (S406: YES), theprocess proceeds to S411.

[0099] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the number of applicationsoftwares is not smaller than the number of transmission destinations(S402: NO), the CPU 21 in S407 displays a selection screen having theterminal equipment selection group disposed in the left of the selectionscreen and the application software selection group (in which noinformation concerning application softwares is displayed in this stage)disposed in the right of the selection screen as shown in FIG. 4C. Onlytransmission destinations present in the registration informationdatabase are displayed in the terminal equipment selection group.Incidentally, the selection screen in this stage is controlled by theCPU 21 so that a transmission destination can be selected from theterminal equipment selection group disposed in the left of the selectionscreen. Then, the process proceeds to S408.

[0100] In S408, the CPU 21 determines whether a transmission destinationis selected by the user from the terminal equipment selection group inthe selection screen displayed in the step S407 or not. When the CPU 21makes a decision that a transmission destination is not selected (S408:NO), the CPU 21 repeats S408 to monitor a transmission destinationselected by the user. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes adecision that a transmission destination is selected (S408: YES), theprocess proceeds to S409.

[0101] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that a transmission destinationis selected (S408: YES), the CPU 21 in S409 displays only applicationsoftwares concerning the transmission destination selected by the userin the application software selection group in the selection screen onthe basis of the registration information database shown in FIG. 3A or3B. Then, the process proceeds to S410.

[0102] When, for example, “PC3” is selected from the terminal equipmentselection group in the selection screen shown in FIG. 4C on theassumption that the registration information database is shown in FIG.3B, “Scan to Image” and “Scan to OCR” are displayed as applicationsoftwares in the application software selection group in the selectionscreen as shown in FIG. 4D.

[0103] In S410, the CPU 21 determines whether an application software isselected by the user from the application software selection group inthe selection screen display in the step S409 or not. When the CPU 21makes a decision that an application software is not selected (S410:NO), the CPU 21 repeats S410 to monitor an application software selectedby the user. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that anapplication software is selected (S410: YES), the process proceeds toS411. Incidentally, the CPU 21 executing the procedure of from S401 toS410 is equivalent to a terminal decision unit and an applicationsoftware decision unit.

[0104] In S411, the CPU 21 determines whether encrypted registrationverification information corresponding to the transmission destinationselected by the user is present in the registration information database(shown in FIG. 3A or 3B) or not. When the CPU 21 makes a decision thatencrypted registration verification information is present in theregistration information database (S411: YES), the process proceeds toS412. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that encryptedregistration verification information is not present in the registrationinformation database (S411: NO), the process proceeds to S415.

[0105] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that encrypted registrationverification information is present in the registration informationdatabase (S411: YES), the CPU 21 in S412 controls the scanner 2 torequest input verification information entered by the user and makes adetermination as to whether the user enters input verificationinformation or not using the operation portion of the operation panel25. When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the user does not enter inputverification information (S412: NO), the CPU 21 repeats S412 to monitorinput verification information entered by the user. On the other hand,when the CPU 21 makes a decision that the user enters input verificationinformation (S412: YES), the process proceeds to S413.

[0106] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the user enters inputverification information (S412: YES), the CPU 21 in S413 encrypts theentered input verification information on the basis of an encryptionprocess substantially equal to the encryption process used forencrypting the registration verification information. Then, the processproceeds to S414.

[0107] In S414, the CPU 21 determines whether the input verificationinformation encrypted in the step S413 and the encrypted registrationverification information corresponding to the selected transmissiondestination and stored in the registration information database arecoincident with each other or not. When the CPU 21 makes a decision thatthe two are coincident with each other (S414: YES), the process proceedsto S415. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decision that thetwo are not coincident with each other (S414: NO), the image dataprocessing is terminated. That is, sending of image data to the selectedtransmission destination is rejected.

[0108] In S415, the CPU 21 sends a notice of registration information ofthe application software selected from the application softwareselection group by the user to the personal computer as the transmissiondestination selected from the terminal equipment selection group by theuser on the basis of the IP address of the personal computer stored inthe registration information database or on the basis of the USB orparallel interface through which the personal computer is connected.Then, the process proceeds to S416. Incidentally, the CPU 21 executingthe procedure of S415 is equivalent to a notice sending unit and arequest sending unit.

[0109] In S416, the CPU 21 controls the reading portion 26 to read anoriginal set in the scanner 2 and store the generated image data basedon the reading in the HDD 30. Then, the process proceeds to S417.

[0110] In S417, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a notice isreceived from the personal computer as the transmission destinationselected from the terminal equipment selection group by the user. Whenthe CPU 21 makes a decision that the notice is not received (S417: NO),the CPU 21 repeats S417 to monitor the notice received from the personalcomputer as the selected transmission destination. When the CPU 21 makesa decision that the notice is received (S417: YES), the process proceedsto S418.

[0111] In S418, the CPU 21 determines whether the notice received fromthe personal computer as the selected transmission destination in S417is a data sending request or not. When the CPU 21 makes a decision thatthe notice from the personal computer as the selected transmissiondestination is not a data sending request (S418: NO), the processproceeds to S420. On the other hand, when the CPU 21 makes a decisionthat the notice from the personal computer as the selected transmissiondestination is a data sending request (S418: YES), the process proceedsto S419.

[0112] In S419, the CPU 21 reads the image data stored in the HDD 30 inS416 and sends the image data to the personal computer as thetransmission destination selected from the terminal equipment selectiongroup by the user on the basis of the IP address of the personalcomputer stored in the registration information database or on the basisof the USB or parallel interface through which the personal computer isconnected. Then, the process proceeds to S420. Incidentally, the CPU 21executing the procedure of S419 is equivalent to a data sending unit.

[0113] In S420, the CPU 21 deletes the image data stored in the HDD 30in S416 from the HDD 30. Thus, the image data processing is terminated.

[0114] Next, the image data processing executed in the data processingsystem 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image data processing executed byeach of the personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c as constituentmembers of the data processing system 1. When each of the personalcomputers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c is powered on, the CPU 31 of thepersonal computer reads the image data processing software program fromthe HDD 34 to start the execution of the image data processing shown inFIG. 9.

[0115] In S501, the CPU 31 determines whether a notice of registrationinformation of an application software to be operated is received fromthe scanner 2 or not. When the CPU 31 makes a decision that the noticeof registration information of an application software to be operated isnot received from the scanner 2 (S501: NO), the CPU 31 repeats S501 tomonitor reception of the notice of registration information of anapplication software. On the other hand, when the CPU 31 makes adecision that the notice of registration information of an applicationsoftware to be operated is received from the scanner 2 (S501: YES), theprocess proceeds to S502. Incidentally, the CPU 31 executing theprocedure of S501 is equivalent to a notice receiving unit and a requestreceiving unit.

[0116] In S502, the CPU 31 displays a check dialog box as a pop-upwindow for checking start of scanning made by the scanner 2. The checkdialog box contains a button for selecting whether starting of scanningis permitted or not, an entry frame for entering a point of time whenimage data generated by the scanning of the scanner 2 will be received,and a decision button for deciding contents entered in the check dialogbox. Incidentally, the scanner 2 starts scanning before starting ofscanning is permitted, that is, the scanner 2 waits for permission ofstarting of scanning while image data is generated and stored in the HDD30 (see S415 and S416 in FIG. 8). This is a technique for shortening thetime required for receiving the image data. After the check dialog boxis displayed, the process proceeds to S503.

[0117] In S503, the CPU 31 determines whether entry based on user'soperation is made in the check dialog box displayed in S502 or not. Thedetermination as to whether entry based on user's operation is made inthe check dialog box or not, is made on the basis of whether thedecision button of the check dialog box is pushed down by the user ornot. When the CPU 31 makes a decision that entry based on user'soperation is not made in the check dialog box (S503: NO), the CPU 31repeats S503 to monitor entry based on user's operation in the checkdialog box. On the other hand, when the CPU 31 makes a decision thatentry based on user's operation is made in the check dialog box (S503:YES), the process proceeds to S504. Incidentally, the CPU 31 executingthe procedure of S502 and S503 is equivalent to a decision unit.

[0118] In S504, the CPU 31 determines whether permission of starting ofscanning of the scanner 2 is entered in the check dialog box on thebasis of user's operation or not. When the CPU 31 makes a decision thatpermission of starting of scanning of the scanner 2 is not entered inthe check dialog box on the basis of user's operation (S504: NO), theprocess proceeds to S505. In S505, the CPU 31 sends a notice ofrejection of sending of data to the scanner 2. After the notice ofrejection of sending of data is sent to the scanner 2, the image dataprocessing is terminated. Incidentally, the CPU 31 executing theprocedure of S505 is equivalent to a permission notice sending unit.

[0119] On the other hand, when the CPU 31 makes a decision thatpermission of starting of scanning of the scanner 2 is entered in thecheck dialog box on the basis of user's operation (S504: YES), theprocess proceeds to S506.

[0120] In S506, the CPU 31 operates the application software to beoperated which software is designated by the notice received from thescanner 2 in S501. After the operation of the application software to beoperated is completed, the process proceeds to S507.

[0121] In S507, the CPU 31 sends a notice of permission of sending ofdata to the scanner 2. Then, the process proceeds to S508. Incidentally,the CPU 31 executing the procedure of S507 is equivalent to a permissionnotice sending unit.

[0122] In S508, the CPU 31 determines whether image data is receivedfrom the scanner 2 or not. When the CPU 31 makes a decision that imagedata is not received (S508: NO), the CPU 31 repeats S508 to monitorreception of image data. On the other hand, when the CPU 31 makes adecision that image data is received (S508: YES), the process proceedsto S509. Incidentally, the CPU 31 executing the procedure of S508 isequivalent to a data receiving unit.

[0123] In S509, the CPU 31 processes the image data received from thescanner 2 on the basis of the application software operated in S506.After processing based on the application software operated iscompleted, the image data processing is terminated. Incidentally, theCPU 31 executing the procedure of S509 is equivalent to a processingunit.

[0124] Hereinafter, a process to input the registration information inthe scanner 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0125] When the registration information is to be input by the user, theCPU 21 of the scanner 2 controls the operation panel 25 to display aterminal information input screen (S600).

[0126] When the CPU 21 determines that a terminal information such as IPaddress and port number of the personal computer, is input by the user(S601), the CPU 21 controls the operation panel 25 to display anapplication information input screen (S602).

[0127] When the CPU 21 determines that an application informationconcerning the application softwares installed in the computers, isinput by the user (S603), the CPU 21 executes a registration informationstoring process to store registration information including the terminalinformation and the application information into the RAM 21 by executingthe registration information storing software program.

[0128] As described above, the registration information is input by theuser in the scanner 2.

[0129] Hereinafter, another embodiment of the invention to send theimage data to a plurality of personal computers will be described withreference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are flow chartsshowing an exemplary process executed by the CPU 21 of the scanner 2.Incidentally, the process to send the image data to a plurality ofpersonal computers is different with the process described above withreference to FIG. 8 in minor points in which described hereinbelow.Therefore, the same steps of process as those shown in FIG. 8 aredenoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8, and thedetailed description of the corresponding steps will be omittedhereinbelow.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 11, in a case where the scanner 2 is configuredto send the image data to a plurality of personal computers, the CPU 21,when the transmission destination is selected in S408, determineswhether a plurality of the transmission destination are selected or not(S700). When the CPU 21 makes a decision that a single transmissiondestination is selected, the process proceeds to S410. When the CPU 21makes a decision that a plurality of transmission destination isselected, the CPU 21 displays all of the application softwaresconcerning the transmission destination selected by the user in theapplication software selection group in the selection screen (S701), andthe process proceeds to S410.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 21, when the transmissiondestination is selected in S406 or the application software is selectedin S410, proceeds the process to S702.

[0132] In S702, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the process of S411through S414 has been done for each of the selected transmissiondestination. When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the process of S411through S414 has been done for all of the selected transmissiondestination, the CPU 21 proceeds the process to S415. When the CPU 21makes a decision that the process of S411 through S414 has not been donefor all of the selected transmission destination, the CPU 21 proceedsthe process to S703.

[0133] In S703, the CPU 21 picks up one of the transmission destinationamong the selected destination and proceeds the process of S411 throughS414 for each of the transmission destination picked up.

[0134] When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the two verificationinformation are coincident with each other (S414: YES), the CPU 21proceeds the process to S702. When the CPU 21 makes a decision that thetwo verification information are not coincident with each other (S414:NO), the CPU 21 proceeds the process to S704.

[0135] In S704, the CPU 21 cancels the transmission destination pickedup in S702 from the selection made by the user, and proceeds the processto S702.

[0136] In S415, the CPU 21 sends the notice of registration informationof the application software selected from the application softwareselection group by the user to each of the personal computer as thetransmission destination selected from the terminal equipment selectiongroup by the user. Then, the process proceeds to S416.

[0137] Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 21, proceeds the process toS705 after the process of S419.

[0138] In S705, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the response isreceived from all of the selected transmission destination. When the CPU21 makes a decision that the response is received from all of theselected transmission destination, the CPU 21 proceeds the process toS420. When the CPU 21 makes a decision that the response is not receivedfrom all of the selected transmission destination, the CPU 21 proceedsthe process to S417.

[0139] As described above, the scanner 2 may be configured to send theimage data to a plurality of personal computers (transmissiondestination) that has been selected by the user. In the embodiment,there may be configured that, when the user selects a specifictransmission destination in which a password is required in sending theimage data, the selection of the specific transmission destination isrejected.

[0140] In the embodiment described above, the scanner 2 is configured tosend the scanned image data to the personal computers selected as thetransmission destination. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the feature ofthe scanner 2 described above may be provided by a combination of ascanner 9 having conventional scanning feature and a scanner server 10connected to the scanner 9 and configured to send the image data scannedby the scanner 9 to the personal computers selected as the transmissiondestination.

[0141] In a case where the feature of the scanner 2 is provided by thescanner 9 and the scanner server 10, only the reading portion 26 isconfigured to be provided in the scanner 9, and all the other portionsshown in FIG. 2A are configured to be provided in the scanner server 10.

[0142] As described above, in the data processing system 1 according tothe embodiment, each personal computer sends a packet to the scanner 2in a state in which the packet contains the IP address of the personalcomputer used when the scanner 2 will send image data to the personalcomputer. On the scanner 2 side, a personal computer as a transmissiondestination of image data is selected from each personal computer as asender of the packet received from the personal computer. Accordingly,when image data generated by the scanner 2 is to be sent to a personalcomputer, the personal computer can be designated easily.

[0143] Furthermore, the scanner 2 is controlled to be forbidden to sendimage data to the personal computer unless input verificationinformation coincident with registration verification informationcorresponding to the personal computer as a transmission destination ofimage data is entered. Accordingly, malicious intent to send image datato another user's personal computer and transmission of image data to anunintended personal computer due to mistaken selection of a personalcomputer can be prevented effectively.

[0144] Furthermore, the packet sent from each personal computer to thescanner 2 contains the IP address of the personal computer, andencrypted registration verification information. Accordingly, loadimposed on communication can be lightened.

[0145] Furthermore, encrypted registration verification information issent from each personal computer to the scanner 2. Accordingly,registration verification information can be prevented effectively frombeing leaked to other persons. Furthermore, after input verificationinformation is encrypted by an encryption process substantially equal tothe encryption process used for encrypting the registration verificationinformation, a determination is made as to whether the inputverification information and the registration verification informationare coincident with each other or not. Accordingly, on the basis of thefact that encryption of information by the substantially same encryptionprocess is generally easier than decryption of encrypted information,there is an advantage in that the determination can be made easilycompared with the case where the determination is made as to whether theinput verification information and the registration verificationinformation are coincident with each other or not after the encryptedregistration verification information is decrypted.

[0146] Furthermore, when the packet is not received from a personalcomputer for a predetermined time, registration information concerningthe personal computer is deleted from the registration informationdatabase. Accordingly, the storage region of the NVRAM 24 can be usedeffectively and only personal computers from each of which the packet isreceived for the predetermined time by the scanner can be displayed astransmission destinations in the terminal equipment selection group.Accordingly, the user can select a transmission destination of imagedata easily.

[0147] Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has beendescribed above, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the embodiment and that various design changes may be madewithin the scope of the present invention. For example, the scanner 2used as the image data generator in the embodiment may be replaced by adigital camera or the like. Although the embodiment has been describedon the case where “Scan to Email”, “Scan to Image” and “Scan to OCR” areused as application softwares, the invention may be applied to the casewhere other application softwares such as “Scan to FAX” for faxing imagedata are used.

[0148] Although the embodiment has been described on the case whereencrypted registration verification information is sent from eachpersonal computer to the scanner 2 while input verification informationis encrypted so that a determination is made as to whether the encryptedregistration verification information and the encrypted inputverification information are coincident with each other or not, thesystem may be configured in such a manner that registration verificationinformation (not encrypted) is sent from each personal computer to thescanner 2 while input verification information is not encrypted so thata determination is made as to whether the registration verificationinformation and the input verification information are coincident witheach other or not.

[0149] The system may be also configured in a such a manner thatencrypted registration verification information is sent from eachpersonal computer to the scanner 2 and decrypted so that a determinationis made as to whether the decrypted registration verificationinformation and the input verification information are coincident witheach other or not.

[0150] The system may be further configured as follows. That is,registration verification information is not sent from each personalcomputer to the scanner 2 but input verification information entered inthe scanner 2 is sent from the scanner 2 to the personal computerselected by the user. The personal computer determines whether the inputverification information and the registration verification informationare coincident with each other or not. When the two are coincident witheach other, the personal computer permits the scanner 2 to send imagedata to the personal computer.

[0151] The system may be further configured as follows. That is,registration verification information is not sent from each personalcomputer to the scanner 2 but input verification information entered inthe scanner 2 is encrypted and sent from the scanner 2 to the personalcomputer selected by the user. The personal computer encryptsregistration verification information in an encryption processsubstantially equal to the encryption process used for encrypting theinput verification information and determines whether the encryptedinput verification information and the encrypted registrationverification information are coincident with each other or not. When thetwo are coincident with each other, the personal computer permits thescanner 2 to send image data to the personal computer.

[0152] The system may be further configured as follows. That is,registration verification information is not sent from each personalcomputer to the scanner 2 but input verification information entered inthe scanner 2 is encrypted and sent from the scanner 2 to the personalcomputer selected by the user. The personal computer decrypts theencrypted input verification information and determines whether thedecrypted input verification information and the registrationverification information are coincident with each other or not. When thetwo are coincident with each other, the personal computer permits thescanner 2 to send image data to the personal computer.

[0153] The system may be further configured so that registrationinformation stored in the registration information database can bedeleted on the personal computer side.

[0154] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where theregistration information database is stored in the RAM 22 or in NVRAM 24so that registration information can be saved even in the case where thepower supply of the scanner 2 is switched off, the invention may beapplied to the case where the registration information database isstored in the RAM 23 so that registration information can be deletedwhen the power supply of the scanner 2 is switched off.

[0155] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thedetermination as to whether the packet containing information forindicating an application software is to be sent to the scanner 2 ismade on the basis of the determination (S101, S105, S109) as to whetherthe application software is installed in the HDD 34 of each personalcomputer, the invention may be applied to the case where thedetermination as to whether the packet containing information forindicating the application software is to be sent to the scanner 2 ismade on the basis of a result of user's selection as to whether theapplication software is used or not.

[0156] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thetime-out value in the registration information database (FIG. 3A or 3B)is decreased gradually so that the registration information is deletedfrom the registration information database when the time-out valuereaches zero (S301: YES in FIG. 7), the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the registration information may be deleted whenit is not received for a week. Or all pieces of registration informationmay be deleted when the power supply of the scanner 2 is switched off.In short, it is preferable to prevent very old registration informationfrom being stored permanently.

[0157] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where theregistration information sending process shown in FIG. 5 starts when thepower supply of each personal computer is switched on, the invention maybe applied to the case where the registration information sendingprocess starts when joining of the scanner 2 to the LAN 8 is confirmed.In this case, when the scanner 2 is joined to the LAN 8 (i.e., when thescanner 2 is connected to the LAN 8), a notice of joining of the scanner2 to the LAN 8 is broadcast on the LAN 8 by the scanner 2. Adetermination as to whether the registration information sending processshown in FIG. 5 is to be executed or not, is made on the basis of adetermination as to whether the broadcast notice is received or not.Incidentally, in this case, the procedure of steps S101 to S113 need notbe executed repeatedly. That is, the procedure of steps S101 to S112 maybe executed only when the broadcast notice is received. As a result, thenumber of times in transmission/reception of the packet can be reduced.According to this configuration, because transmission/reception ofregistration information is executed on the basis of the timing ofjoining of the scanner 2 to the LAN 8, there can be eliminated a uselessprocess of sending the packet to the scanner 2 when the scanner 2 is notjoined to the LAN 8.

[0158] The respective programs used in the scanner 2 and each personalcomputer for executing the aforementioned processes may be recorded inany kind of recording medium such as a CD-ROM that can be read by eachcomputer.

[0159] As described above, in the image data processing system 1according to the embodiment, a personal computer to which image datawill be sent and an application software for processing the image dataare selected individually. Accordingly, a personal computer to whichimage data will be sent and an application software for processing theimage data can be selected easily compared with the case where apersonal computer to which image data will be sent and an applicationsoftware for processing the image data are selected as a combination.

[0160] The names of interfaces through which personal computers arelocal-connected to the scanner 2 are displayed in the terminal equipmentselection group when the user is informed of the personal computerslocal-connected to the scanner 2. Accordingly, the user can select apersonal computer to which the image data will be sent, whilerecognizing the names of interfaces through which personal computerslocal-connected to the scanner 2 or while specifying terminal equipmentson the basis of the names of interfaces.

[0161] Furthermore, the registration information database is updated onthe basis of registration information sent from each personal computerto the scanner. Accordingly, a personal computer newly enabled tocommunicate with the scanner 2 and application softwares installed inthe personal computer can be added as options.

[0162] Furthermore, only personal computers registered so as to belinked to an application software selected from the application softwareselection group are displayed in the terminal equipment selection groupso that a personal computer registered so as to be linked to theselected application software can be selected. Accordingly, the numberof options can be reduced so that a personal computer to which the imagedata will be sent can be selected easily.

[0163] Furthermore, only application softwares registered so as to belinked to a personal computer selected from the terminal equipmentselection group are displayed in the application software selectiongroup so that an application software registered so as to be linked tothe selected personal computer can be selected. Accordingly, the numberof options can be reduced so that an application software for processingthe image data can be selected easily.

[0164] Furthermore, after one smaller in number is first selected fromthe terminal equipment selection group and the application softwareselection group on the basis of the result of comparison between thenumber of personal computers in the terminal equipment selection groupand the number of application softwares in the application softwareselection group, selection is made from the other selection group havingoptions corresponding to the option selected from one selection group.Accordingly, the number of options can be reduced more greatly, so thatuser's load on selection of a personal computer to which the image datais sent and selection of an application software for processing theimage data can be lightened.

[0165] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thenames of interfaces through which personal computers are local-connectedto the scanner 2 are registered as transmission destinations in theregistration information database so that only the names of interfacesare displayed in the terminal equipment selection group when thepersonal computers are local-connected to the scanner 2, the inventionmay be applied to the case where the names of personal computerslocal-connected to the scanner 2 and the names of interfaces throughwhich the personal computers are local-connected to the scanner 2 areregistered in the registration information database so that the names ofpersonal computers and the names of interfaces are displayed in theterminal equipment selection group.

[0166] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thenumber of transmission destinations stored in the registrationinformation database are compared with the number of applicationsoftwares stored in the registration information database so thatselection is first made from the selection group larger in number, theinvention is not limited thereto but may be configured as follows.

[0167] For example, the names of transmission destinations stored in theregistration information database may be displayed so that atransmission destination can be selected. The user selects a personalcomputer as a transmission destination of image data on the basis of thedisplay. When a personal computer as a transmission destination isselected by the user, the names of application softwares (applicationsoftwares allowed to be used in the selected personal computer) storedin the registration information database so as to be linked to theselected personal computer are displayed so that an application softwarecan be selected. The user selects an application software for processingthe image data on the basis of the display.

[0168] Or the names of application softwares stored in the registrationinformation database are displayed so that an application software canbe selected. The user selects an application software for processing theimage data on the basis of the display. When an application software forprocessing the image data is selected by the user, the names oftransmission destinations (information concerning personal computersallowed to use the selected application software) stored in theregistration information database so as to be linked to the selectedapplication software are displayed so that a personal computer can beselected as a transmission destination. The user selects a personalcomputer to which the image data will be sent, on the basis of thedisplay.

[0169] Although the embodiment has been described on the case whereregistration information (the name of each transmission destination,information of each application software, IP address, port number andtime-out value) is sent from each personal computer to the scanner onthe basis of the registration information sending process carried out bythe personal computer as shown in FIG. 5, so that the registrationinformation database shown in FIG. 3A or 3B is generated in the scannerand used for selection of a terminal equipment and selection of anapplication software, the invention is not limited thereto but may useanother method.

[0170] For example, unlike the aforementioned configuration,registration information containing the name of each transmissiondestination, information of each application software, IP address, portnumber and time-out value need not be sent at once. That is,registration information may be sent while divided into registrationinformation (the name of each transmission destination, IP address, portnumber, etc.) concerning each terminal equipment and registrationinformation (information of each application software, etc.) concerningeach application software. In this case, registration informationconcerning each terminal equipment may be first sent from each personalcomputer to the scanner. When a terminal equipment is selected on thescanner side, the scanner may send an inquiry to the selected terminalequipment on the basis of information contained in the registrationinformation. Registration information concerning each applicationsoftware may be obtained by the inquiry so that an application softwarecan be selected on the basis of the registration information.

[0171] The configuration described above will be described in detailhereinbelow. A registration information sending process shown in FIG. 15and an image data processing shown in FIG. 16 are executed instead ofthe registration information sending process shown in FIG. 5 and theimage data processing shown in FIG. 8 in the aforementioned embodiment.(Other processes based on the drawings are substantially the same andthe detailed description thereof will be omitted). That is, when each ofthe personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c is powered on, the CPU 31of each of the personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c reads aregistration information sending program from the HDD 34 to execute theregistration information sending process shown in FIG. 15. First, instep S801, the CPU 31 generates registration information (<IP address ofits own device>:<port number>:<name of its own device (name oftransmission destination stored in “Transmission Destination” of theregistration information database)>) concerning each terminal equipmentand controls the personal computer to send the generated registrationinformation concerning each terminal equipment to the scanner 2.Incidentally, the registration information database updated by theprocess shown in FIG. 6 contains no information concerning eachapplication software because the scanner 2 receives the registrationinformation concerning each terminal equipment.

[0172] Then, in step S802, the CPU 31 determines whether an inquiry madeabout available application software in step S904 which will bedescribed later is received from the scanner 2 or not. When the CPU 31makes a decision that the inquiry is received (S802: YES), the currentposition of the process goes to step S803. On the other hand, when theCPU 31 makes a decision that the inquiry is not received (S802: NO), theCPU 31 repeats the step S802 to monitor the inquiry about applicationsoftware.

[0173] In the step S803, the CPU 31 executes a procedure substantiallyequal to the procedure of the steps S101 to S106 shown in FIG. 5 (exceptthat registration information generated and sent to the scanner 2 isregistration information concerning each application software). That is,the CPU 31 generates registration information (<IP address of its owndevice>:<information indicating each application software>) concerningeach application software and controls the personal computer to send thegenerated registration information concerning each application softwareto the scanner 2.

[0174] On the other hand, when the user makes a predetermined keyoperation on the operation panel 25 of the scanner 2, the CPU 21 of thescanner 2 reads an image data processing program from the ROM 22 toexecute the image data processing shown in FIG. 15. In the image dataprocessing, a procedure substantially equal to the procedure of thesteps S401, S407, S408, S409, S410, S411, S412, S413 and S414 shown inFIG. 8 (except that the procedure in the step S409 is different from theprocedure in the step S904 as will be described later) is executed bysteps S901, S902, S903, S904, S905, S906, S907, S908 and S909 in FIG.16.

[0175] The step S904 is however largely different from the step S409. Inthe step S904, the registration information concerning each terminalequipment and stored in the registration information database is used sothat an inquiry about application software allowed to be used in thepersonal computer is sent to the personal computer (terminal equipment)selected in the step S903 (inquiry unit). Accordingly, in the step S803,a notice of application softwares allowed to be used in the personalcomputer is sent from the personal computer to the scanner 2 on thebasis of the registration information concerning each applicationsoftware. The scanner 2 displays a selection screen, for example, aselection screen as shown in FIG. 4B or 4D, on the operation panel 25 onthe basis of this notice.

[0176] According to the configuration described above, management can bemade easily because the relation between personal computers (terminalequipments) and application softwares allowed to be used in the personalcomputers need not be registered in the registration informationdatabase. In addition, load imposed on the memory can be lightenedbecause the system can be formed so that only registration informationconcerning each terminal equipment is stored.

[0177] As described above, in the data processing system 1 according tothe embodiment, the scanner 2 sends image data after the scanner 2receives a notice of permission of sending of the data from each of thepersonal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c. Accordingly, a user's simpleoperation can be made to prevent each of the personal computers 3, 4, 5a, 5 b and 5 c from receiving image data unintended by the user.

[0178] Furthermore, because the notice received from the scanner 2 todesignate an application software to be operated in each of the personalcomputers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c serves also as a request for a noticeof permission of sending of data, reduction in traffic density can beattained. Furthermore, because the notice of permission of sending ofdata is sent to the scanner 2 after the application software is checkedon the side of each of the personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c,the mistaken designation of the application software on the scanner 2side can be found.

[0179] Furthermore, sending of an e-mail with image data, editing ofimage data or recognition of characters from image data can be performedon the side of each of the personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c.

[0180] Furthermore, because the scanner 2 includes storage devices suchas the RAM 23 and the HDD 30, the system can be simplified.

[0181] In addition, because the user designates a specific one of thepersonal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c and an application softwarefrom the personal computer selection group and the application softwareselection group displayed on the scanner 2 on the basis of user'soperation, mistaken sending of data caused by mistaken designation canbe reduced.

[0182] Furthermore, a plurality of pieces of image data to be sent bythe scanner 2 can be stored in the HDD 30. Accordingly, while thescanner 2 waits for the notice of permission of sending of data fromeach of the personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c, the scanner 2 cangenerate another image data.

[0183] In addition, when the notice to designate an application soft isreceived, the user can select whether a notice of permission of sendingof data is performed on the basis of a check dialog box or not.Accordingly, security can be improved by a simple operation ofselection.

[0184] Furthermore, because a point of time when sending of image datawill start can be designated, data can be received at a point of timeconvenient for the side of each of the personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 band 5 c.

[0185] Although the embodiment has been described on the case whereimage data generated by the scanner 2 is processed, the invention is notlimited thereto but may be also applied to the case where anotherapplication data such as motion picture data, voice data, or text dataare processed.

[0186] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thenotice of registration information of an application software from thescanner 2 serves also as a request for a notice of permission of sendingof data, the invention is not limited thereto but may be also applied tothe case where the notice of registration information of an applicationsoftware is provided separately from sending of the request for a noticeof permission of sending of data.

[0187] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where theregistration information database is stored in the RAM 23 of the scanner2, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a database serverallowed to be accessed by communication maybe prepared so that aregistration information database substituted for the registrationinformation database stored in the RAM 23 of the scanner 2 is stored inthe database server or so that one of the registration informationdatabase for personal computers and the registration informationdatabase for application softwares is stored in the RAM 23 of thescanner 2 while the other registration information database is stored inthe database server. The invention may be also applied to the case whereno registration information database is used. In this case,identification information of each personal computer and identificationinformation of each application software may be input individually.

[0188] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thescanner 2 has a function for making the user select a personal computeras a transmission destination and an application software for processingimage data, the invention is not limited thereto but may be also appliedto the case where each personal computer other than the scanner 2 hasthis function. The invention may be applied to the case where neitherthe scanner 2 nor each personal computer has this function.Incidentally, in this case, a personal computer as a transmissiondestination and an application software for processing image data may bedesignated by setting or the like.

[0189] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thescanner 2 has the HDD 30 for storing image data generated by the scanner2, the invention is not limited thereto but may be also applied to thecase where the scanner 2 has no storage device such as an HDD 30.

[0190] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thedetermination as to whether each of the personal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5b and 5 c sends a notice of permission of sending of data or not, isdecided on the basis of user's entry in the check dialog box, theinvention is not limited thereto but may be also applied to the casewhere this determination is decided on the basis of setting made inadvance without user's entry requested whenever the determination isrequired.

[0191] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thetiming of sending of image data is designated when each of the personalcomputers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c sends a notice of permission of sendingof data, the invention is not limited thereto but may be applied to thecase where the timing of sending of image data is not designated. Inthis case, the scanner 2 may send image data immediately after thescanner 2 receives the notice of permission of sending of data or thescanner 2 may send image data after the scanner 2 makes each of thepersonal computers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c send a command for requestingsending of image data and receives the command from each of the personalcomputers 3, 4, 5 a, 5 b and 5 c.

[0192] Although the embodiment has been described on the case where thesystem includes personal computers 3 and 4 connected to the scanner 2through USB I/F and parallel I/F of the scanner 2, and personalcomputers 5 a, 5 b and 5 c connected to the scanner 2 through the LAN 8,the invention is not limited thereto but may be applied to the casewhere the system includes only personal computers connected to thescanner 2 through USB I/F and parallel I/F of the scanner 2 or to thecase where the system includes only personal computers connected to thescanner 2 through the LAN 8.

[0193] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings or may beacquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen anddescribed in order to explain the principles of the invention and itspractical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize theinvention in various embodiments and with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image data processing system comprising: animage data generating apparatus configured to generate image data; and aterminal equipment connected to the image data generating apparatus andconfigured to be installed with an application software, wherein theimage data generating apparatus comprises: an image data generating unitconfigured to generate the image data; a terminal equipment selectionunit configured to select the terminal equipment as a transmissiondestination of the image data; an application software selection unitconfigured to select the application software for processing the imagedata; a notice sending unit configured to send a notice of the selectedapplication software to the selected terminal equipment; and a datasending unit configured to send the image data to the selected terminalequipment, wherein the terminal equipment comprises: a data receivingunit configured to receive the image data sent from the data sendingunit; a processing unit configured to process the received image data byuse of the application software designated by the notice sent from thenotice sending unit.
 2. The image data processing system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the terminal equipment further comprises a packetsending unit configured to send a packet to the image data generatingapparatus, the packet containing identification information in whichused when the image data generating apparatus sends the image data tothe terminal equipment, wherein the image data generating apparatusfurther comprises a packet receiving unit configured to receive thepacket sent from the packet sending unit, wherein the terminal equipmentselection unit selects the terminal equipment as the transmissiondestination of the image data from among the terminal equipment fromwhich the packet receiving unit received the packet, wherein theapplication software selection unit selects the application softwarefrom among a application software in which indicated by an applicationsoftware information contained in the packet, and wherein the datasending unit sends the image data generated by the image data generatingunit to the terminal equipment based on an identification informationcontained in the packet received from the terminal equipment.
 3. Theimage data processing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the terminalequipment further comprises a registration verification informationaddition unit configured to add a registration verification informationto the packet sent by the packet sending unit, and wherein the imagedata generating apparatus further comprises: a registration verificationinformation acquisition unit configured to acquire the registrationverification information from the received packet; and a linking unitconfigured to link the registration verification information acquired bythe registration verification information acquisition unit with theidentification information of the terminal equipment that sent thepacket to which the registration verification information is added. 4.The image data processing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein theterminal equipments further comprises a registration verificationinformation encryption unit configured to encrypt the registrationverification information, wherein the registration verificationinformation addition unit adds the registration verification informationencrypted by the registration verification information encryption unitto the packet, wherein the image data generating apparatus furthercomprises: a verification information entry unit configured to enterinput verification information; a verification information determinationunit configured to determine whether registration verificationinformation corresponding to the terminal equipment selected by thetransmission destination selection unit coincides with the inputverification information entered by the verification information entryunit; and an input verification information encryption unit configuredto encrypt the input verification information on the basis of anencryption process corresponding to the encryption process carried outby the registration verification information encryption unit, whereinthe registration verification information acquisition unit acquires theencrypted registration verification information from the packet, andwherein the verification information determination unit determineswhether the encrypted registration verification information acquired bythe registration verification information acquisition unit coincideswith the input verification information encrypted by the inputverification information encryption unit.
 5. The image data processingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image data generatingapparatus further comprises a terminal equipment excluding unitconfigured to determine whether the packet concerning each of theterminal equipment as an object of the selection the transmissiondestination selection unit is not received for a predetermined time bythe packet receiving unit, and to exclude the terminal equipment fromthe object of the selection when a decision is made that the packetconcerning the terminal equipment is not received for the predeterminedtime.
 6. The image data processing system as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe image data generating apparatus further comprises: a storage unitconfigured to store identification information contained in the packetreceived by the packet receiving unit; and a storage informationdeleting unit configured to determine whether the packet concerning eachof the terminal equipment as an object of the selection by thetransmission destination selection unit is not received for apredetermined time by the packet receiving unit, and to delete theidentification information of the terminal equipment from the storageunit when a decision is made that the packet concerning the terminalequipment is not received for the predetermined time.
 7. The image dataprocessing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the image datagenerating apparatus further comprises: a storage unit configured tostore the identification information and the registration verificationinformation contained in the packet received by the packet receivingunit; and a storage information deleting unit configured to determinewhether the packet concerning each of the terminal equipment as anobject of the selection by the transmission destination selection unitis not received for a predetermined time by the packet receiving unit,and to delete the identification information and the registrationverification information of the terminal equipment from the storage unitwhen a decision is made that the packet concerning the terminalequipment is not received for the predetermined time.
 8. The image dataprocessing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the packet sending unitexecutes sending of the packet when joining of the image data generatingapparatus to a network is detected.
 9. An image data processing systemcomprising: an image data generating apparatus configured to generateimage data; and a terminal equipment connected to the image datagenerating apparatus, wherein the image data generating apparatuscomprises: a terminal equipment selection unit configured to select theterminal equipment as a transmission destination of the image data froma terminal equipment selection group; and an application softwareselection unit configured to select an application software forprocessing the image data from an application software selection group.10. An image data processing system comprising: an image data generatingapparatus configured to generate image data; and a terminal equipmentconnected to the image data generating apparatus, wherein the image datagenerating apparatus comprises: an inquiry unit configured to inquire ofeach of the terminal equipment about an application software used in theterminal equipment; and an application software selection unitconfigured to select an application software for processing the imagedata from an application software selection group, wherein theapplication software selection unit selects an application software forprocessing the image data from the application software selection groupon the basis of the inquiry made by the inquiry unit.
 11. The image dataprocessing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the image datagenerating apparatus further comprises a registration unit configured toregister the terminal equipment and the application software used by theterminal equipment while linking the terminal equipment and theapplication software to the terminal equipment selection group and theapplication software selection group respectively.
 12. The image dataprocessing system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the image datagenerating apparatus further comprises a terminal equipment excludingunit configured to exclude the terminal equipment that is registered bythe registration unit but not linked to the application softwareselected from the application software selection group by theapplication software selection unit, from the terminal equipmentselection group.
 13. The image data processing system as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the image data generating apparatus further comprisesan application software excluding unit configured to exclude theapplication software registered by the registration unit but not linkedto the terminal equipment selected from the terminal equipment selectiongroup by the terminal equipment selection unit, from the applicationsoftware selection group.
 14. The image data processing system asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the image data generating apparatus furthercomprises: a determination unit configured to determine whether thenumber of the application software in the application software selectiongroup is smaller than the number of the terminal equipments in theterminal equipment selection group; and a selection sequence controlunit configured to control a sequence of the selection so that theterminal equipment selection unit first selects the terminal equipmentfrom the terminal equipment selection group when the determination unitmakes a decision that the number of the application software in theapplication software selection group is not smaller than the number ofthe terminal equipment in the terminal equipment selection group whereasthe application software selection unit first selects the applicationsoftware from the application software selection group when thedetermination unit makes a decision that the number of the applicationsoftware in the application software selection group is smaller than thenumber of the terminal equipment in the terminal equipment selectiongroup.
 15. An image data processing system comprising: an image datagenerating apparatus configured to generate image data; and a terminalequipment connected to the image data generating apparatus via anetwork, wherein the image data generating apparatus comprises: aterminal equipment display unit configured to display the terminalequipments to which the image data will be sent; a terminal equipmentselection unit configured to select a terminal equipment to which theimage data will be sent, from among the terminal equipment displayed bythe terminal equipment display unit; an application software displayunit configured to display the application software to be used in theselected terminal equipment; and an application software selection unitconfigured to select an application software from among the applicationsoftware displayed by the application software display unit.
 16. Animage data processing system comprising: an image data generatingapparatus configured to generate image data; and a terminal equipmentconnected to the image data generating apparatus via a network andconfigured to be installed with an application software, wherein theimage data generating apparatus comprises: an application softwaredisplay unit configured to display the application software; anapplication software selection unit configured to select an applicationsoftware by which the image data to be processed, from among theapplication software displayed by the application software display unit;a terminal equipment display unit configured to display the terminalequipment to be used for executing the selected application software;and a terminal equipment selection unit configured to select a terminalequipment from among the terminal equipment displayed by the terminalequipment display unit.
 17. The image data processing system as claimedin claim 9, wherein the image generating apparatus further comprises anotification unit configured to notify a name of the terminal equipmentto a user when the user selects the terminal equipment.
 18. The imagedata processing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the imagegenerating apparatus further comprises a notification unit configured tonotify a name of an interface of the terminal equipment, the interfacethrough which the terminal equipment is connected to the image datagenerating apparatus, to a user when the user selects the terminalequipment.
 19. The image data processing system as claimed in claim 10,wherein the image generating apparatus further comprises a notificationunit configured to notify a name of the terminal equipment to a userwhen the user selects the terminal equipment.
 20. The image dataprocessing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the image generatingapparatus further comprises a notification unit configured to notify aname of an interface of the terminal equipment, the interface throughwhich the terminal equipment is connected to the image data generatingapparatus, to a user when the user selects the terminal equipment. 21.The image data processing system as claimed in claim 15, wherein theimage generating apparatus further comprises a notification unitconfigured to notify a name of the terminal equipment to a user when theuser selects the terminal equipment.
 22. The image data processingsystem as claimed in claim 15, wherein the image generating apparatusfurther comprises a notification unit configured to notify a name of aninterface of the terminal equipment, the interface through which theterminal equipment is connected to the image data generating apparatus,to a user when the user selects the terminal equipment.
 23. The imagedata processing system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the imagegenerating apparatus further comprises a notification unit configured tonotify a name of the terminal equipment to a user when the user selectsthe terminal equipment.
 24. The image data processing system as claimedin claim 16, wherein the image generating apparatus further comprises anotification unit configured to notify a name of an interface of theterminal equipment, the interface through which the terminal equipmentis connected to the image data generating apparatus, to a user when theuser selects the terminal equipment.
 25. The image data processingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image data generatingapparatus further comprises: a verification information entry unitconfigured to enter input verification information; a verificationinformation determination unit configured to determine whetherregistration verification information corresponding to the selectedterminal equipment coincides with the input verification information;and a transmission control unit configured to permit sending the imagedata to the terminal equipment when the verification informationdetermination unit determines that the registration verificationinformation coincides with the input verification information and toforbid sending the image data when the verification informationdetermination determines that the registration verification informationdoes not coincides with the input verification information.
 26. Theimage data processing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the imagedata generating apparatus further comprises: a verification informationentry unit configured to enter input verification information; averification information determination unit configured to determinewhether registration verification information corresponding to theselected terminal equipment coincides with the input verificationinformation; and a transmission control unit configured to permitsending the image data to the terminal equipment when the verificationinformation determination unit determines that the registrationverification information coincides with the input verificationinformation and to forbid sending the image data when the verificationinformation determination determines that the registration verificationinformation does not coincides with the input verification information.27. The image data processing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein theimage data generating apparatus further comprises: a verificationinformation entry unit configured to enter input verificationinformation; a verification information determination unit configured todetermine whether registration verification information corresponding tothe selected terminal equipment coincides with the input verificationinformation; and a transmission control unit configured to permitsending the image data to the terminal equipment when the verificationinformation determination unit determines that the registrationverification information coincides with the input verificationinformation and to forbid sending the image data when the verificationinformation determination determines that the registration verificationinformation does not coincides with the input verification information.28. The image data processing system as claimed in claim 15, wherein theimage data generating apparatus further comprises: a verificationinformation entry unit configured to enter input verificationinformation; a verification information determination unit configured todetermine whether registration verification information corresponding tothe selected terminal equipment coincides with the input verificationinformation; and a transmission control unit configured to permitsending the image data to the terminal equipment when the verificationinformation determination unit determines that the registrationverification information coincides with the input verificationinformation and to forbid sending the image data when the verificationinformation determination determines that the registration verificationinformation does not coincides with the input verification information.29. The image data processing system as claimed in claim 16, wherein theimage data generating apparatus further comprises: a verificationinformation entry unit configured to enter input verificationinformation; a verification information determination unit configured todetermine whether registration verification information corresponding tothe selected terminal equipment coincides with the input verificationinformation; and a transmission control unit configured to permitsending the image data to the terminal equipment when the verificationinformation determination unit determines that the registrationverification information coincides with the input verificationinformation and to forbid sending the image data when the verificationinformation determination determines that the registration verificationinformation does not coincides with the input verification information.30. The image data processing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein theapplication software comprises at least one of application software forsending an e-mail with the image data, application software for editingthe image data and application software for recognizing characters byanalyzing the image data.
 31. The image data processing system asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the application software comprises at leastone of application software for sending an e-mail with the image data,application software for editing the image data and application softwarefor recognizing characters by analyzing the image data.
 32. The imagedata processing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the applicationsoftware comprises at least one of application software for sending ane-mail with the image data, application software for editing the imagedata and application software for recognizing characters by analyzingthe image data.
 33. The image data processing system as claimed in claim15, wherein the application software comprises at least one ofapplication software for sending an e-mail with the image data,application software for editing the image data and application softwarefor recognizing characters by analyzing the image data.
 34. The imagedata processing system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the applicationsoftware comprises at least one of application software for sending ane-mail with the image data, application software for editing the imagedata and application software for recognizing characters by analyzingthe image data.
 35. The image data processing system as claimed in claim1, wherein data sending unit of the image generating apparatus sends theimage data to the selected terminal equipment after a permission noticeis received from the selected terminal equipment.
 36. An image datagenerating apparatus for generating image data and sending to a terminalequipment, the apparatus comprising: an image data generating unitconfigured to generate the image data; a packet receiving unitconfigured to receive a packet from the terminal equipment, the packetcontaining identification information in which used when the image datagenerating apparatus sends the image data to the terminal equipment; atransmission destination selection unit configured to select theterminal equipment as a transmission destination of the image datagenerated by the image data generating unit from among the terminalequipment as a sender of the packet received by said packet receivingunit; and an image data sending unit configured to send the image datagenerated by the image data generating unit to the selected terminalequipment on the basis of the identification information contained inthe packet received from the terminal equipment selected by thetransmission destination selection unit.
 37. A terminal equipment forreceiving image data generated by an image data generating apparatus,the terminal equipment comprising: a packet sending unit configured tosend a packet to the image data generating apparatus, the packetcontaining identification information in which used when the image datagenerating apparatus sends image data to the terminal equipment; and animage data receiving unit configured to receive the image data from theimage data generating apparatus.
 38. A program product for causing acomputer used as an image data generating apparatus for generating imagedata and sending the image data to a terminal equipment, the programproduct comprising: a unit that generates the image data; a unit thatreceives a packet from the terminal equipment, the packet containingidentification information in which used when the computer sends theimage data to the terminal equipment; a unit that selects the terminalequipment as a transmission destination of the generated image data fromamong the terminal equipment as a sender of the received packet; and aunit that sends the generated image data to the selected terminalequipment on the basis of the identification information contained inthe packet received from the selected terminal equipment.
 39. A programproduct for causing a computer used as a terminal equipment forreceiving image data generated by an image data generating apparatus,the program product comprising: a unit that sends a packet to the imagedata generator, the packet containing identification information inwhich used when the image data generating apparatus sends image data tothe computer; and a unit that receives the image data from the imagedata generating apparatus.
 40. The image data generating apparatus asclaimed in claim 36, further comprising: a verification informationentry unit configured to enter input verification information; averification information determination unit configured to determinewhether registration verification information corresponding to theterminal equipment selected by the transmission destination selectionunit coincides with the input verification information entered by theverification information entry unit; and a transmission control unitconfigured to permit the image data sending unit to send the image datawhen the verification information determination unit determines that theregistration verification information coincides with the inputverification information, and to forbid the image data sending unit tosend the image data when the verification information determination unitdetermines that the registration verification information does notcoincides with the input verification information.
 41. The image datagenerating apparatus as claimed in claim 40, further comprising: aregistration verification information acquisition unit configured toacquire the registration verification information from the packetreceived by the packet receiving unit; and a linking unit for linkingthe registration verification information acquired by the registrationverification information acquisition unit to identification informationof the terminal equipment as a sender of the packet to which theregistration verification information is added.
 42. The image datagenerating apparatus as claimed in claim 41, further comprises an inputverification information encryption unit configured to encrypt the inputverification information entered by the verification information entryunit on the basis of an encryption process substantially equal to theencryption process carried out by the registration verificationinformation encryption unit, wherein the registration verificationinformation acquisition unit acquires the encrypted registrationverification information from the packet, and wherein the verificationinformation determination unit determines whether the encryptedregistration verification information acquired by the registrationverification information acquisition unit coincides with the inputverification information encrypted by the input verification informationencryption unit.
 43. The image data generating apparatus as claimed inclaim 36, further comprises a terminal equipment excluding unitconfigured to determine whether the packet concerning the terminalequipment as an object of selection by the transmission destinationselection unit is not received for a predetermined time by the packetreceiving unit, and to exclude the terminal equipment from the object ofselection when determined that the packet concerning the terminalequipment is not received for the predetermined time.
 44. The terminalequipment as claimed in claim 37, wherein the packet sending unit sendsthe packet when joining of the image data generator to a network isdetected.
 45. An image data generating apparatus for sending a notice ofan application software for processing image data and the image data inwhich to be processed by the application software designated by thenotice to a terminal equipment, the apparatus comprising: a terminalequipment selection unit configured to select the terminal equipment towhich the image data to be sent, from among a terminal equipmentselection group; an application software selection unit configured toselect the application software for processing the image data from amongan application software selection group; a notice sending unitconfigured to send a notice of the selected application software to theselected terminal equipment; and a data sending unit configured to sendthe image data to the selected terminal equipment.
 46. A program productfor causing a computer used as an image data generating apparatus forsending a notice of an application software for processing image dataand the image data in which to be processed by the application softwaredesignated by the notice to a terminal equipment, the program productcomprising: a unit that selects the terminal equipment to which theimage data to be sent, from among a terminal equipment selection group;a unit that selects the application software for processing the imagedata from among an application software selection group; a unit thatsends a notice of the selected application software to the selectedterminal equipment; and a unit that sends the image data to the selectedterminal equipment.
 47. The image data generating apparatus as claimedin claim 45 further comprising an inquiry unit configured to inquire theterminal equipment about an application software installed and to beused for processing with the image data in the terminal equipment, andwherein the application software selection unit selects the applicationsoftware for processing the image data from among the applicationsoftware selection group on the basis of the inquiry made by the inquiryunit after the terminal equipment selection unit selects the terminalequipment from among the terminal equipment selection group.
 48. Theimage data generating apparatus as claimed in claim 45 furthercomprising: a registration unit configured to register the terminalequipment and the application software used in the terminal equipmentwhile linking the terminal equipment and the application software to theterminal equipment selection group and the application softwareselection group, respectively; and a terminal equipment excluding unitconfigured to exclude the terminal equipment registered by theregistration unit but not linked to the application software selectedfrom among the application software selection group by the applicationsoftware selection unit, from the terminal equipment selection group.49. The image data generating apparatus as claimed in claim 45 furthercomprising: a registration unit configured to register the terminalequipment and the application software used in the terminal equipmentwhile linking the terminal equipment and the application software to theterminal equipment selection group and the application softwareselection group, respectively; and an application software excludingunit configured to exclude the application software registered by theregistration unit but not linked to the terminal equipment selected fromamong the terminal equipment selection group by the terminal equipmentselection unit, from the application software selection group.
 50. Theimage data generating apparatus as claimed in claim 48 furthercomprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether anumber of the application software in the application software selectiongroup is smaller than a number of the terminal equipment in the terminalequipment selection group; and a selection sequence control unitconfigured to control a sequence of selection so that the terminalequipment selection unit first selects the terminal equipment from amongthe terminal equipment selection group when the determination unitdetermines that the number of the application software in theapplication software selection group is not smaller than the number ofthe terminal equipment in the terminal equipment selection group whereasthe application software selection unit first selects the applicationsoftware from among the application software selection group when thedetermination unit determines that the number of the applicationsoftware in the application software selection group is smaller than thenumber of the terminal equipment in the terminal equipment selectiongroup.
 51. The image data generating apparatus as claimed in claim 49further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whethera number of the application software in the application softwareselection group is smaller than a number of the terminal equipment inthe terminal equipment selection group; and a selection sequence controlunit configured to control a sequence of selection so that the terminalequipment selection unit first selects the terminal equipment from amongthe terminal equipment selection group when the determination unitdetermines that the number of the application software in theapplication software selection group is not smaller than the number ofthe terminal equipment in the terminal equipment selection group whereasthe application software selection unit first selects the applicationsoftware from among the application software selection group when thedetermination unit determines that the number of the applicationsoftware in the application software selection group is smaller than thenumber of the terminal equipment in the terminal equipment selectiongroup.
 52. An image data generating apparatus for sending image data toa terminal equipment connected via a network and installed anapplication software for processing the image data, the apparatuscomprising: a terminal equipment display unit configured to display theterminal equipment; a terminal equipment selection unit configured toselect the terminal equipment to which the image data to be sent, fromamong the terminal equipment displayed by the terminal equipment displayunit; an application software display unit configured to display theapplication software to be used in a the selected terminal equipment;and an application software selection unit configured to select theapplication software to be used in the selected terminal equipment, fromamong the application software displayed by the application softwaredisplay unit.
 53. An image data generating apparatus for sending imagedata to a terminal equipment connected via a network and installed anapplication software for processing the image data, the apparatuscomprising: an application software display unit configured to displaythe application software; an application software selection unitconfigured to select the application software for processing the imagedata from among the application software displayed by the applicationsoftware display unit; a terminal equipment display unit configured todisplay the terminal equipment to execute the selected applicationsoftware; and a terminal equipment selection unit configured to selectthe terminal equipment to execute the selected application software,from among the terminal equipments displayed by the terminal equipmentdisplay unit.
 54. The program product as claimed in claim 46, whereinthe application software comprise at least one of application softwarefor sending an e-mail with the image data, application software forediting the image data and application software for recognizingcharacters by analyzing the image data.
 55. The program product asclaimed in claim 46 further comprises: a unit that inquires the terminalequipment about the application software installed in the terminalequipment and to be used for processing with the image data; and a unitthat selects the application software for processing the image data fromamong the application software selection group on the basis of theinquiry made after the selection of the terminal equipment from amongthe terminal equipment selection group.
 56. The program product asclaimed in claim 46 further comprises: a unit that registers theterminal equipment and the application software used in the terminalequipment while linking the terminal equipment and the applicationsoftware to the terminal equipment selection group and the applicationsoftware selection group, respectively; and a unit that excludes theregistered terminal equipment that is not linked to the selectedapplication software, from the terminal equipment selection group. 57.The program product as claimed in claim 46 further comprises: a unitthat registers the terminal equipment and the application software usedin the terminal equipment while linking the terminal equipment and theapplication software to the terminal equipment selection group and theapplication software selection group, respectively; and a unit thatexcludes the registered application software that is not linked to theselected terminal equipment, from among the application softwareselection group.
 58. The program product as claimed in claim 56 furthercomprises: a unit that determines whether a number of the applicationsoftware in the application software selection group is smaller than anumber of the terminal equipment in the terminal equipment selectiongroup; and a unit that controls a sequence of selection so that in theselection, the terminal equipment from among the terminal equipmentselection group is selected firstly when the number of the applicationsoftware in the application software selection group is not smaller thanthe number of the terminal equipments in the terminal equipmentselection group whereas the application software from among theapplication software selection group is selected firstly when the numberof the application software in the application software selection groupis smaller than the number of the terminal equipments in the terminalequipment selection group.
 58. The program product as claimed in claim57 further comprises: a unit that determines whether a number of theapplication software in the application software selection group issmaller than a number of the terminal equipment in the terminalequipment selection group; and a unit that controls a sequence ofselection so that in the selection, the terminal equipment from amongthe terminal equipment selection group is selected firstly when thenumber of the application software in the application software selectiongroup is not smaller than the number of the terminal equipments in theterminal equipment selection group whereas the application software fromamong the application software selection group is selected firstly whenthe number of the application software in the application softwareselection group is smaller than the number of the terminal equipments inthe terminal equipment selection group.
 60. A program product forcausing a computer used as an image data generating apparatus forsending image data to a terminal equipment in which connected via anetwork, the program product comprising: a unit that displays theterminal equipment; a unit that selects the terminal equipment to whichthe image data is to be sent, from among the displayed terminalequipment; a unit that displays the application software to be used inthe selected terminal equipment; and a unit that selects the applicationsoftware to be used in the selected terminal equipment from among thedisplayed application software.
 61. A program product for causing acomputer used as an image data generating apparatus for sending imagedata to a terminal equipment in which connected via a network, theprogram product comprising: a unit that displays the applicationsoftware; a unit that selects the application software for processingthe image data from among the displayed application software; a unitthat displays the terminal equipment to execute the selected applicationsoftware; and a unit that selects the terminal equipment to execute theselected application software, from among the displayed terminalequipment.
 62. The image data processing system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the image data generating unit generates the image data byscanning a sheet of document.
 63. The image data processing system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the image data generating apparatus furthercomprises an identification information input unit configured to inputan identification information in which used when sending the image datato the terminal equipment.
 64. The image data processing system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the notice of the selected applicationsoftware sent by the notice sending unit includes an applicationsoftware designation information for designating the selectedapplication software to the selected terminal equipment.
 65. The imagedata processing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notice sendingunit is further configured to send to the image generating apparatus apermission notice for permitting the image generating apparatus to sendthe image data, when the notice of the selected application software isreceived from the image generating apparatus.